We’ve known for a while the strategic alliance Celtic have had with Manchester City, but how we have burrowed into the France international youth setup is, frankly, highly unlikely for a Scottish club.
First came Moussa, then Olivier.
Olivier Ntcham (21) will have known Moussa Dembele (21) from the French youth setup, and Patrick Roberts from their time at Man City. How both flourished at Celtic last season was a prime motivator for the player to head north.
With Olivier and Moussa flourishing in Glasgow, Brendan Rodgers was able to convince a third French youth international, Odsonne Edouard (19), to come to Celtic. We are now an attractive destination for players graduating from one of the world’s most productive international academy environments.
Edouard is here on loan. Celtic have the option secured with both Paris Saint-Germain and the player to turn this into a permanent transfer, should he developed as hoped over the next season.
The story is a little more complicated than just this, however. Odsonne was convicted of shooting someone with an air gun in July and given a suspended sentence. This, frankly, is grossly irresponsible and a suspended sentence is one of the better outcomes for Odsonne. Whatever influences were in his life leading up to this point, a new course needs to be taken in Glasgow.
I have no doubt that this conviction thinned the heard of some potential suitors, unprepared to take the risk on him. He has a year to develop his potential and set himself a new course. If he does, Celtic will acquire a remarkable talent for what in the current market, is a snip.
Patrick Roberts back on loan means that we have retained all first team players from last season, while augmenting the squad with several others. Patrick agreed terms to join permanently, but Manchester City were not prepared to let him go. They, like many others, believe there could be enormous potential on Celtic’s right wing this season. What happens next summer is too far away to contemplate with any certainty.
Jonny Hayes now looks third choice for the right wing slot, but he’s more likely to be utilised as backup for Scott Sinclair on the left. While Patrick Roberts was pursued throughout the summer, we were always going to have to wait until City made their decisions. This left us with only James Forrest for the right wing position for the qualifiers – and James is no stranger to injury. Jonny was available early in the window, so was an appropriate acquisition.
Kundai Benyu (19) arrived from Ipswich after a season on loan at Aldershot. Like Hayes, he can cover for Sinclair in left mid.
Rivaldo Coetzee (20) is the one that got away. He would have competed with Kristofer Ajer for the fourth central defender berth. With Simunovic fit, and Boyata and Sviatchenko both back from injury this month, there was no chance of us splurging big on a central defender. A strategic purchase, like Coetzee, was another matter.
The litmus test for any transfer window is, did we come out of it better than we went into it? Such outcomes are seldom evident the day after the window closes, but having retained all, and added such potential, we have delivered.
What we need to do now is develop Ntcham, Edouard and the others, win the league, perform well in the Champions League, and solidify our position as a club where outstanding talent will flourish and succeed. This is what success looks like for an economically disenfranchised giant in a highly dysfunctional industry.
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Just about to hit ma kip when our very own St Serf’s DJ dies his stuff, makes a log on and read back a definite tomorrow
Cqn, good night n God bless, there is probably sindbody worse off than yourself so moaning about Celtic / board ptretty fruitless…. we live in great Celtic times
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIuTcWPXcAASI-W.jpg
Some people are born to skelp…Huns!
HH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaeLKhRnkhQ
Oasis
Cigarettes and Alcohol
StSerf’sBhoysCSC
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIuTGx9XoAA2Dvf.jpg
MEN against boys
HH
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIp6LgVW0AAW92l.jpg
If you saw him live count your blessings…
HH
Roy C …. 11.50pm
:-)
AoW….my sincere condolences to you and your wife…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdGFtwCNBE
The Killers
Mr Brightside
Coming out of my cage and I’m doing just fine…Celtic game please!
HH
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIkovBzXoAIu7dI.jpg
Tommy v 3 Huns
FairoddsCSC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xueCCyZ5V8
Blondie
Dreaming…of 10 in a row!
HH
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIgL5ZvXYAArT1B.jpg
Top Bhoy
LemonCSC
This song has been recorded by so many artists…this is my favourite version, sung with such intense feeling.
Strange Fruit…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Web007rzSOI
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIflbeAXoAA6vD4.jpg
Davie and the Jungle Bhoys
HH
Roy C….
For the life of me I just will never ever understand why/how Paul Sturrock never pulled the Hoops on!
Despite being but a skelf of a boy….what a player. Perfect Celtic fit.
What a player.
HH
Roy Croppie…it’s the old bus syndrome…you wait and wait and wait…then suddenly along come three or four at the same time… :-)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIfiom7XoAE_5zt.jpg
Bellamy scores at Tannadice…unstoppable that day
HH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfGDFgdmdvo
The American
Simple Minds
HH
THIRD63 Jim Mclean blocked a few moves that really would have improved our team. They were a great side.
WeeBobbyCollins :)) HH
Jeff Beck…Women of Ireland…
The man is pure guitar genius…and the bass player is not bad looking either :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ej_X2_SggQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnUDzzIDHok
I Travel
Simple Minds
FranceGermanyBelgium-THE JOURNEY CSC
Roll on the next Celtic game. We are in a very good good place right now with a strong, newly freshened squad and the prospect of European delights ahead. We have a manager we all believe in-I think-and a hungry group of players.
I remember posting on here a couple of years back complaining about the apathy around the place and banners covering seats. Well that’s been addressed and the ‘fire’ I frustratingly asked to return is here…try and enjoy Celts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X_1o3Qw4KM
Praise You
HH
I can go to bed happy man. The Croppie is back. Bella Ciao. Hh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH986VE47M8
INXS
Beautiful GIRL
Al Green + Joss Stone– How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
great song–great duet–Joss Stone very underrated imo…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWtKm5WbE_w
Roy Croppie is here
My day is complete.
HH jamesgang
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRXGsPBUV5g
Sympathy for the Devil
The Rolling Stones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iYqWtIm0zI
The Pogues
Birmingham Six
HH
JamesGang HH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpN_TOP9hg8
Embarrassment
Madness
dedicatedtoallsevconiansCSC
Roberta Flack…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9jmusgMgro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T236PgCUcgY
The Dubliners
Spanish Lady
Big G greta memories of our visit to the city.
UTLR
Goodnight Celts
HH
Donny Hathaway…The Ghetto…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqZ2JBVXgpA
Roy croppie The legend that is. Cheers mate. Hh
The Sky Is Crying…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Gt46aX9Z4
Dallas
My son’s first Celtic hero was Tommy Johnston. :)
Well, I’m not staying here on my own…so, That’s All…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9bX5mzdihs
Goodnight all…
Apart from Celtic, Who else is there to support?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmHhgpYK0XY
NZCSC
A massive thanks to Roy Croppie. An absolute gentleman. I wish I could tell you all how much this man loves Celtic. He lives and breathes Celtic. Hh